The Badminton Library of Sports & Pastimes: Dancing, Lilly Grove, 1896
A whole volume of The Badminton Library of Sports & Pastimes was dedicated to dancing, with traditions from around the world described—in often derogatory terms—by its British author. Writing in the year that Britain seized control of the area that is now Uganda, this racism corresponded with agendas to justify colonisation by dehumanising the inhabitants of newly occupied territories.
At the Portico Library, we want to help users and visitors to discover and share the aspects of the collection that matter to them. This includes exposing histories of inequity and persecution, and interrogating the texts that influenced the world we inhabit today. If you would like to discuss any of the books in this exhibition, or in the Library, please get in touch via librarian@theportico.org.uk or start your own research project at www.theportico.org.uk/research.